Lunar Trifecta – Possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity…

Baz - The Landy

I’m sure many are aware of a rare lunar phenomenon that is set to occur next week.

It is being billed as a “once-in-a-lifetime” lunar trifecta and Australian’s have one of the best vantage points around the globe to view what is being described as a “super red blue moon” as three lunar conditions converge.

Apparently, a super moon occurs when the moon reaches its closest point to earth and appears much larger than normal (some 30% they say). The red part happens during a lunar eclipse, and the blue moon is when there are two full moons in a month.

Some experts suggest that it is unlikely to see all three events converge again this century, although I have seen conflicting reports on this with suggestions there will be another one in 2028 – but given it last occurred in 1866 I’ll try and observe this one and leave it to the experts to argue over the timing of the next one.

It has been at least two decades since I last visited the area so I am looking forward to it, although with daytime temperatures getting up to around the 45C mark I doubt I will linger there for too long afterwards. But it is a spectacular area, so I’ll play that one by ear and see how the weather is…

The phenomena is due to start on 31 January around 10:30pm (AEDT) and end just after 2:00AM (AEDT) on 1 February…

Cheers, Baz – The Landy

“Those who don’t think
it can be done shouldn’t
bother the person doing it…”

Cheers and thank you for the heads up on this unique event, it could be said to be a once in a life time experience, my guess on that is how you ~ me or whom ever see the event unfold.

The last "super moon" which in truth was my first super moon viewing was nothing short of amazing and a genuine special moment simply because I was able to perch up on a prominent ridge top in the Pilbara with my wife and two teenage grandsons.

Hi Baz.
Thanks for the reminder re the “blue /blood moon” happening. I am usually sound asleep at that time but must make an effort to get some photos of the event. We should be on the NW outskirts of the big smoke (Sydney) that night so hope the background lights won’t stuff up any camera stuff.
You better take plenty of cool drinks for Mungo.

Yep already planning to see that - I checked the advice on best viewing on the Perth Observatory website where they said this one was better viewing for Perthites from the suburbs due to the low height at viewing time and the blocking from tree line if you head up into the hills. The news articles here say just walk out your back door between 7.30pm and 11pm and you'll see it with your naked eye. No need for binoculars etc. So that's easy!

Well Baz, call me old and cynical but I wouldn't get too upset if I miss it, especially in the Eastern States as you point out.

More media hype.

Sure a red moon is worth seeing. Tick.

A super moon. Well I don't know about you, but I have been caught by the ol' supermoon media hype before. This super moon is 13% bigger than a mini moon, when it's at its smallest., or about 6% bigger than average. I can tell you now, it isn't detectable to the naked eye. It looks like ......well ...the moon.

Depending on atmospheric conditions it can be 30% brighter than when it is dullest. or about 15% more than average. But your eyes will largely negate that.

And as you point out, in eastern Australia there simply is no blue moon. The eclipse occurs in February so it misses out by a day. Places that get in in January ( WA) will get the blue moon FWIW.

It will be a media frenzy in the lead up but I am sure many will be disappointed, especially when they can't see any difference in size, and realize there is no blue moon. The Blue moon media hype is out of the US where they do get a blue moon.

"And as you point out, in eastern Australia there simply is no blue moon. The eclipse occurs in February so it misses out by a day. Places that get in in January ( WA) will get the blue moon FWIW."

Depends upon whether you are working on EDST orsolar time.. As it is a solar event you should be working on solar time. DST is just a means of getting people up earlier, nothing to do with how the solar system works.

Just be aware that the East Coast dont get the Blue Moon aqs the Full Moon is after midnight meaning we dont get two full moons in one month. Perth and Adelaide do get it. East coast miss out by 26 minutes